Major Tech Company Coming?

[Renovator2559]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

[Erik]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

[Renovator2559]

Lighten up, this mindset is the reason Nebraska doesn't get to do great things. By major tech market, it most likely means a large data center and or a cloud provider.

Cheap electricity and data center spaces are very convenient here.

[Erik]

Lighten up, this mindset is the reason Nebraska doesn't get to do great things. By major tech market, it most likely means a large data center and or a cloud provider.

Cheap electricity and data center spaces are very convenient here.

I can see a data center. There is less of a need to appeal to these folks.

Unless we remove education requirements like the state is considering for state-level positions.

[ita]

Lighten up, this mindset is the reason Nebraska doesn't get to do great things. By major tech market, it most likely means a large data center and or a cloud provider.

Cheap electricity and data center spaces are very convenient here.

If this post is duplicate, which one is it?

Amazon data center?

[Garrett]

Omaha has Google data centers but I’d never really say that Google has a substantial employment in the city. Like yay, we host a bunch of servers that employ 20 people. Data centers felt cool for a while until we learned they basically just meant a big warehouse in the boonies

[Erik]

Omaha has Google data centers but I’d never really say that Google has a substantial employment in the city. Like yay, we host a bunch of servers that employ 20 people. Data centers felt cool for a while until we learned they basically just meant a big warehouse in the boonies

Agreed. We should appreciate that we can do this, it helps to slow the bleeding of the brain talent to places that better appeal to them.

At some point, we probably should consider a state law that removes all education barriers to start filling these positions or they will leave the state.

We can have apprenticeship programs that fit the culture of the people here. Perhaps have a church-state partnership to provide a center for training.

[Greg S]

Omaha has Google data centers but I’d never really say that Google has a substantial employment in the city. Like yay, we host a bunch of servers that employ 20 people. Data centers felt cool for a while until we learned they basically just meant a big warehouse in the boonies

Yeah I agree on the data centers. Not sure they are the big win that they were initially made out to be and that they thought they were. They consume massive amounts of electricity and I believe water. Because of them OPPD has had to increase rates and build additional power stations.

I found it interesting when the temps were brutally cold in January and OPPD started asking people to conserve energy during peak times that some were blaming electric cars, when they don't make a dent in comparison to what the data centers are consuming.

And like you said, they really don't do much for the area employment wise.

[nebugeater]

Omaha has Google data centers but I’d never really say that Google has a substantial employment in the city. Like yay, we host a bunch of servers that employ 20 people. Data centers felt cool for a while until we learned they basically just meant a big warehouse in the boonies

Yeah I agree on the data centers. Not sure they are the big win that they were initially made out to be and that they thought they were. They consume massive amounts of electricity and I believe water. Because of them OPPD has had to increase rates and build additional power stations.

I found it interesting when the temps were brutally cold in January and OPPD started asking people to conserve energy during peak times that some were blaming electric cars, when they don't make a dent in comparison to what the data centers are consuming.

And like you said, they really don't do much for the area employment wise.

I was digging into your thoughts on the data center during the cold because I had the same thoughts. From what I can gather, they all went onto their standby power systems and came off the grid during that time. I am sure that their rate structure has this requirement built into it. I know a couple of places I have worked through the years had an interuptable function built into the rates that we got as a major industrial user.

[Bob from Omaha]

Google Council Bluffs. I'm not sure I'd call that not much.

In 2007, we announced plans to construct a data center complex in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Then in 2012 and 2015, we announced expansions of our local data center facilities. Over time, we've invested $5 billion and have established a long-term commitment to the region and state. Now a fully operational site, we've created jobs for over 900 people on site, in a variety of full-time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers, various food services, maintenance, and security. We work hard to support the communities in which our employees live and work.

Since 2009, we've invested more than $3 million in local schools and nonprofits. Additionally, in 2011, we partnered with the City of Council Bluffs to launch a free WiFi network for everyone in and around Council Bluffs, the BLink-Bluffs Free Community WiFi program.
___________________________________________________________________________

Google Nebraska

Google creates economic opportunities across the Cornhusker state. In 2019, Google broke ground on a data center in Papillion where more than 120 people work in a variety of full-time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers, and various food service, maintenance, and security roles.

“Thank you to Google for choosing to grow in Nebraska with a $750 million investment. Added to the $600 million investment in 2019, Google has put well over a billion dollars into its operations in the Cornhusker State,” said Governor Pete Ricketts.
____________________________________________________________________________

However you slice it those are real dollars, real jobs, real local vendors.

[Doctor Fate]

Renovator said that the tech company will be establishing "major operations" in Omaha. I don't think that would be a data center, maybe I'm wrong. A "larger market share than Facebook" would make it Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet/Google, or Amazon.

[skip]

Renovator said that the tech company will be establishing "major operations" in Omaha. I don't think that would be a data center, maybe I'm wrong. A "larger market share than Facebook" would make it Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet/Google, or Amazon.

Maybe tied in with the old rumors of a tech company putting up offices in the Mercantile and old Mutual site?

[Doctor Fate]

Renovator said that the tech company will be establishing "major operations" in Omaha. I don't think that would be a data center, maybe I'm wrong. A "larger market share than Facebook" would make it Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet/Google, or Amazon.

Maybe tied in with the old rumors of a tech company putting up offices in the Mercantile and old Mutual site?

Oh yeah, I forgot about that! There was speculation on Amazon there.

[Athomsfere]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

I mean, if Fargo can operate a Microsoft office, I can't see why Omaha can't have a big tech company located here.

But, it would be like Paypal or Linked in: Operations or "an office", certainly no one is moving a headquarters here in this sector.

[lpgforms]

Microsoft has a large presence in Fargo because 15-20 years ago they purchased Great Plains Software - one of the major ERP software applications at the time. Great Plains had a large pool of talented developers and had just built a brand-new campus at the time. So Microsoft kept the campus in Fargo and expanded its presence in Fargo.
From this purchase Microsoft created its Microsoft Business Solutions division which eventually morphed into the Dynamics product line.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

Nebraska claims this but as a recent college graduate every business in Omaha requires 5 years experience then will go cry about not finding any educated workers. I swear most of these businesses that complain about not having enough workers do it on purpose because even if one shows interest they won’t reach out until a month or 2 later then hire you about 4-6 months after you apply. They just want to play the victim instead of filling positions with younger people.

[Greg S]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

Nebraska claims this but as a recent college graduate every business in Omaha requires 5 years experience then will go cry about not finding any educated workers. I swear most of these businesses that complain about not having enough workers do it on purpose because even if one shows interest they won’t reach out until a month or 2 later then hire you about 4-6 months after you apply. They just want to play the victim instead of filling positions with younger people.

There is some truth to this. I have been in recruiting and hr for 30 or so years, including 4 where it was specifically IT. Not sure where you went to school but did the school have opportunities for internships before you graduated?

[ita]

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Can you clarify what you mean here? Are you talking about valuations of existing property? Why would that be reason of excitement? Just trying to understand what these 12,000 building valuations represent.

[Louie]

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Can you clarify what you mean here? Are you talking about valuations of existing property? Why would that be reason of excitement? Just trying to understand what these 12,000 building valuations represent.

Yeah, building valuations happen all the time as part of property tax assessments. That would also include SFHs.

[damonhynes]

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

Is there a city/state where there's an excess of educated talent? If so, it stands to reason that this talent may be relocating to areas where it is needed.

OK, so maybe there aren't enough urban/midtown condos, brewpubs, hiking trails, trolleys, etc. in a particular area (for the sake of discussion, let's say this area is Omaha) so the educated talent is staying away. What are these people doing for jobs until they can find a place to use their talent? I'm serious--are they driving Doordash in Boulder/San Jose/Austin/Boston/Fairfax waiting for a job to open up? You spent ~six years in college to get knowledge--use it, even if it's Omaha!

[Louie]

What are these people doing for jobs until they can find a place to use their talent? I'm serious--are they driving Doordash in Boulder/San Jose/Austin/Boston/Fairfax waiting for a job to open up? You spent ~six years in college to get knowledge--use it, even if it's Omaha!

That's exactly what a lot of folks are doing. Underemployment is the catch-all term. But it's certainly telling of the situation that someone would rather make less to live in a city they prefer.

[Erik]

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

Is there a city/state where there's an excess of educated talent? If so, it stands to reason that this talent may be relocating to areas where it is needed.

OK, so maybe there aren't enough urban/midtown condos, brewpubs, hiking trails, trolleys, etc. in a particular area (for the sake of discussion, let's say this area is Omaha) so the educated talent is staying away. What are these people doing for jobs until they can find a place to use their talent? I'm serious--are they driving Doordash in Boulder/San Jose/Austin/Boston/Fairfax waiting for a job to open up? You spent ~six years in college to get knowledge--use it, even if it's Omaha!

Don't forget the jihad state government, that has been accelerating the drain.

[Erik]

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

Is there a city/state where there's an excess of educated talent? If so, it stands to reason that this talent may be relocating to areas where it is needed.

OK, so maybe there aren't enough urban/midtown condos, brewpubs, hiking trails, trolleys, etc. in a particular area (for the sake of discussion, let's say this area is Omaha) so the educated talent is staying away. What are these people doing for jobs until they can find a place to use their talent? I'm serious--are they driving Doordash in Boulder/San Jose/Austin/Boston/Fairfax waiting for a job to open up? You spent ~six years in college to get knowledge--use it, even if it's Omaha!

Don't forget the jihadi state government, that has been accelerating the drain.

[GenX]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

“heard from others”.
“under strict NDA”.

Considering the source, I’m going to hold out for more concrete info. I call BS.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Reminds me of when I was bored and lied that I saw plans of HDR’s HQ having a spire just for shits and giggles

[Doctor Fate]

Reminds me of when I was bored and lied that I saw plans of HDR’s HQ having a spire just for shits and giggles

[NEDodger]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

“heard from others”.
“under strict NDA”.

Considering the source, I’m going to hold out for more concrete info. I call BS.

For real. “Here are 3 details, but we multiple people all cannot share details beyond that because NOW we care about a NDA.”

[jelizh]

Omaha has Google data centers but I’d never really say that Google has a substantial employment in the city. Like yay, we host a bunch of servers that employ 20 people. Data centers felt cool for a while until we learned they basically just meant a big warehouse in the boonies

Respectfully, this number is a severe underestimate.

[djc311]

This whole thing is a riot!

[Bob from Omaha]

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

So that NDA worked well. When someone signs a NDA, which is a non disclosure agreement, they are legally bound by it. Should they break it there are severe penalties. Did the source forget his/her glasses? Did they lose it?

[Renovator2559]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

Nothing deeper can be shared on this rumor, as sources are under strict NDA.

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Which major tech company could it be?

Won't happen. They will need to be able to recruit educated talent and this is a weakness for our state

Nebraska claims this but as a recent college graduate every business in Omaha requires 5 years experience then will go cry about not finding any educated workers. I swear most of these businesses that complain about not having enough workers do it on purpose because even if one shows interest they won’t reach out until a month or 2 later then hire you about 4-6 months after you apply. They just want to play the victim instead of filling positions with younger people.

There are plenty of educated workers, the companies though offshore cheap labor and high tech jobs. Many of my former and current cowrkers have faced layoffs because their departments have been offshored to cheap over sea labor. It is sickening how I heard this repeat again and again. Even my European colleagues have faced their jobs being shipped to cheaper areas.


Google recruiters keep reaching out to me, regarding the different locations in the Omaha but those jobs are way underpaid and I would never accept a low paying job. I am much working for Google indirectly.

Renovator said that the tech company will be establishing "major operations" in Omaha. I don't think that would be a data center, maybe I'm wrong. A "larger market share than Facebook" would make it Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet/Google, or Amazon.

Amazon looks very suspect, as Microsoft has a data center in Des Moines

I also hear from sources that currently there are 12,000 new building valuations in the docket but haven't been approved, so there's plenty of building excitement brewing.

Can you clarify what you mean here? Are you talking about valuations of existing property? Why would that be reason of excitement? Just trying to understand what these 12,000 building valuations represent.

Plenty of building activity, Omaha keeps blossoming; a very important period for Omaha!

“heard from others”.
“under strict NDA”.

Considering the source, I’m going to hold out for more concrete info. I call BS.

Its fine if you are skeptical, this is why this is a rumor; you can just take it as hearsay and just wait for the news headlines in the future.

[stormchaser]

Its fine if you are skeptical, this is why this is a rumor; you can just take it as hearsay and just wait for the news headlines in the future.

I agree with this. I've never understood why people reply with doubts with things shared here. It's a rumor for a reason - take it for what it is and of course doubt it (but no need to reply saying that). Everyone should doubt everything posted here or anywhere online for that matter unless there is proof to back up the claims being made.

Fingers crossed it's something that actually happens. Regardless, the intel is appreciated.

[Renovator2559]

I agree with this. I've never understood why people reply with doubts with things shared here. It's a rumor for a reason - take it for what it is and of course doubt it (but no need to reply saying that). Everyone should doubt everything posted here or anywhere online for that matter unless there is proof to back up the claims being made.

Fingers crossed it's something that actually happens. Regardless, the intel is appreciated.

I agree with that, in the rumor section, it's a good idea to be skeptical and understand that the rumor was shared in good faith, you can treat it with the substance it really is just a rumor.

Also, you can see how healthy Omaha is doing in current projects and deduce how well Omaha is doing in attracting tech companies.

[Doctor Fate]

I have heard from others that a major tech company will be establishing major operations in Omaha, in 6 months or so. This company has a larger market share than Facebook. In 6 months or so, this announcement will be made in the news and will make many very happy.

According to the OP, we should be hearing something about this soon.

[Renovator2559]

I am crossing my fingers that this indeed becomes reality, I shared this with good faith, and not trying to play with people's emotions. I got this from word of mouth from my contact, who was pretty excited, but couldn't share more because of strict NDA.

Still, do feel free to take this with a grain of salt, unless this actually transpires into an actual press release, which we'll know soon enough if it's real or not.

If this is somehow tied with what is being discussed in the Tower District thread, that would be interesting.

[Renovator2559]

I obtained confirmation from the source that it was simply the Google 1B expansion in Council Bluffs. No other major tech company as I insinuated with the title of this thread.

It makes sense as Google has a bigger market than Facebook in the Data Center space as I mentioned in the beginning of this thread.

Consider this rumor closed, and confirmed to be the Google 1B expansion.

[Doctor Fate]

I obtained confirmation from the source that it was simply the Google 1B expansion in Council Bluffs. No other major tech company as I insinuated with the title of this thread.

It makes sense as Google has a bigger market than Facebook in the Data Center space as I mentioned in the beginning of this thread.

Consider this rumor closed, and confirmed to be the Google 1B expansion.

Dang, was hoping that “major operations” meant actual business operations and office space + hundreds of employees, not just another data center.